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WhatsApp is getting ready for one of its biggest changes in Europe as Meta prepares to open the service to outside messaging apps. The update comes in response to the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which forces major platforms to let users connect across different services. Meta will now give WhatsApp users in the region the choice to chat with people on approved third-party apps.
Over the next few months, WhatsApp will introduce a feature called third-party chats across the European Union. The first apps to support it will be BirdyChat and Haiket. Meta said this rollout follows more than three years of work with European messaging companies and the European Commission to meet the DMA’s rules while protecting user privacy and security.
Meta explained that it follows three main principles:
Protecting user security and privacy: In line with DMA requirements, third-party messaging apps must use the same level of E2EE as WhatsApp.
Clear and simple experience: We’ve provided users with a simple onboarding experience while ensuring they understand the main differences between chats on WhatsApp and third-party chats.
Available to European users: In line with DMA requirements, third-party chats will be available to people in the European Region.
The feature is coming to both Android and iOS. Once it goes live, users in Europe will see a notice in the WhatsApp Settings tab explaining how to opt in. After enabling it, they can send text, voice messages, images, videos, and files to people using compatible third-party apps. The option is fully voluntary and can be turned off at any time.
Meta also said WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption will remain in place for third-party chats as far as possible. The company noted that its approach aims to maintain core privacy protections even as the platform opens up to meet new European regulations.
With the DMA pushing major services toward interoperability, Meta’s update shows how WhatsApp is adjusting to a more open messaging ecosystem without dropping its security focus.
